The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-13
THE BRAZILIAN METROPOLIS,
Life In Para-A Shocking State of Society-A
Brightening Future. 49, 49, =

Frightening Future. @ e-
Para, Brazil, Correspondence Detroit Free Press.
1t is a true saying that lone half of the world
knows not how the other half lives" likewise it
is true that the greater part of North American
readers have but little knowledge of the way in
which their South American cousins live. Only
within a few years has it been possible to even
reach South temperate America without first
going to England. But by slow and persistent
efforts we arc establishing relations with this
country and learning something of its CONNER
cal Importance, which, when first discovered,
England, thereby increasing her enormous
wealth. Several lines OF steamers now
regularly between the United States and differ
ent South American ports, and If this country
would but remove her excessive export and i'm
port duties these commercial relations would be
largely increased.
The City of Para. which promises to become
the metropolis of Brazil, has population of
over eighty thousand. a mixed race of humanity
resulting from the amalgama:ion of the Brazil
ian and Portuguese with the African and In
peculiarly of manner About one thousand of
the latter still slaves The climate is uni
form and invariably hot, but there is always a
good breeze. During the summer months the
thermometer often reaches 92o Fahrenheit, and
it never gets below 72o throughout the year
Nearly every day there are refreshing showers
and the mornings cool and comfortable. As
in all tropical countries, there extends far
the eye can reach the dark green foliage Of the
mango. bread fruit, orange, banana and a score
of other fruits and trees peculiar to the torrid
Beautiful plants and many cherished
flowers grow luxurianty with trifne care.
Para boasts one beautiful street, San Jose,
with double row sf stately, royal palms; but
there are many otAer streets, narrow, crooked
and uninvting. sOEaA of which have sidewalks
not over two feet wide or even narrower. There
are numerous lines of street-cars, literally pat
roniZed by all classes The streets are also
lighted with gas and laid with water pipe. The
one-storied houses quaint and foreign-look-
ing. with tile roofs and gaily- painted walls.
For ornamentation there are urns and statues
placed upon the roof. For the lower classes
there mud houses with thatched roofs and
mud floors Many Of them have but one room,
without windows and but door.
Catholicism is the established religion, but it's
power is waning. The more ignorant classes
delight in the brilliant ceremonies of the church,
but the better educated show little zeal, though
yielding discreet assent to the forms and OBJ
servances. The immoralities of the priests bring
the church into disrepute. It is uncommon
ten or twelve children. Their advice to the peo-
pie is, ''Do as we say, not as we do;" but human
nature is much the same the world over, and
people are prone to follow example rather
than prect ps. hence the moral condition of this
society is in deplorable state.
Sunday is like any other day In the early
part of the day all shops and stores (except dry
goods stores) are open, and saloons and places of
amusement do thriving business. Even the
schools and colleges have their regular study
hours seven days in every week, though the
professors are exempt from hearing recitarons
on the Sabbath.
And yet the state of South American affairs is
not hopeless for with freedom of religious wor-
ship, in connection with other marks of progress,
among which We notice quite an extensive sys-
tenn of public schools, free press, and-under
political reform one specially worthy of men
ton of the slaves, truly bright future awaits
this country.